The New York Knicks have a tough game against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night (Dec. 31). Currently the Knicks are on a two-game losing streak and may have to play without power forward Amare Stoudemire. I wrote about how the Stoudemire injury could become a good thing for the Knicks if it is just a short-term thing, but it’s definitely tough to play without one of the two best players on the roster.

It’s very unclear what coach Mike D’Antoni will do if he doesn’t have Stoudemire in the starting lineup, but it could mean a chance for Bill Walker to step in at power forward. He is certainly a bit undersized at 6-6 and 235 pounds, but we aren’t talking about a team with a lot of depth. The other option is to give rookie Josh Harrellson that chance to get some big minutes for the night. I like the latter option because Harrellson has really good energy on the floor.

The starting lineup for the Kings is Tyreke Evans at point guard, Marcus Thornton at shooting guard, John Salmons at small forward, Chuck Hayes at power forward and DeMarcus Cousins at center. Through three games for the Kings, Thornton leads them in scoring with 20.3 points per game, followed by Evans and Cousins with 14.3 each. Both Hayes and Cousins average more than 10 rebounds per game, so the front line of New York is going to have their hands full. Providing energy off the bench are guard Jimmer Fredette and power forward J.J. Hickson, two players that go all-out every night.

The Kings are 1-2 (just like the Knicks through the first three games and average just 92.3 points per game. They also give up 100 points per game, which should allow the Knicks plenty of opportunities to score. New York is getting out-scored this year as well though, to the tune of 98.3 to 88.7, ranking the Knicks as the sixth lowest-scoring team in the NBA. The team is also the worst rebounding team at just 31.3 per game, so going up against a team packed with good big men could pose a problem on Saturday night.

The Kings aren’t as good as the two teams that New York has lost to this week, but this is also a team that should not get underestimated. Tyson Chandler has to stay busy on the offensive glass and it’s worth noting that he has just 6 total shots through the first three games. Carmelo Anthony needs to have a big game and the guards have to start hitting shots. The open three-pointers that the Knicks miss are really starting to add up and the team has gone just 19-for-63 from long-range in the first three games.

The game plan is simple on Saturday, even if it isn’t simple to carry out. The Knicks have to work the inside-outside game, make at least 45 percent of their three-pointers and keep the Kings from getting too many fast-break points. Evans and Fredette like to run and the Knicks guards have to put a body on them.

The Knicks play the Sacramento Kings at Power Balance Pavilion on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET.

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Sources:

Full Knicks Schedule

New York Knicks Website

*Ryan Christopher DeVault is a fan of the New York Knicks that has followed the team since the days John Starks, Charles Oakley, and Anthony Mason instilled their defensive will on the rest of the league.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

With the NBA season finally underway, Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, and Tyson Chandler are on a quest to lead the New York Knicks to an NBA championship in this shortened 66-game season. Luckily Knicks’ fans in New York and across the country can watch each game on television.

Check with your service provider for channel listings in your area.

Note: All start times Eastern

January 2012

Mon 2, Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Wed 4, Charlotte Bobcats at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Fri 6, New York Knicks at Washington Wizards, 7 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Sat 7, New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Mon 9, Charlotte Bobcats at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, NBATV)

Wed 11, Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Thu 12, New York Knicks at Memphis Grizzlies, 8 p.m. (TNT)

Sat 14, New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Mon 16, Orlando Magic at New York Knicks, 1 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Wed 18, Phoenix Suns at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Fri 20, Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Sat 21, Denver Nuggets at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, NBATV)

Tue 24, New York Knicks at Charlotte Bobcats, 7 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Wed 25, New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Fri 27, New York Knicks at Miami Heat, 8 p.m. (MSG, ESPN)

Sat 28, New York Knicks at Houston Rockets, 8 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Tue 31, Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. (MSG, NBA LP)

Sources:

All data provided by NBA.com

Paul Rados is a Cleveland based freelance sportswriter and Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Read More: New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings

The West Coast surely hasn’t been as kind as the New York Knicks had hoped, but the Knicks get another chance to overcome their early struggles on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET (MSG) when they wrap up a three-game road trip against the Sacramento Kings.

The left side of the country has already delivered the Knicks two losses and handed Amare Stoudemire a sprained ankle. Stoudemire suffered the ankle injury during New York’s 99-82 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Knicks’ second consecutive double-digit defeat after falling to Golden State 92-78. He did not practice on Friday and his availability against the Kings is still uncertain.

The Kings have lost two straight since a promising victory against the Los Angeles Lakers to open the season. Marcus Thornton has led the way with 20.3 points per game, joined in double figures by Tyreke Evans (14.3 points), DeMarcus Cousins (14.3 points and 11.3 rebounds) and Jimmer Fredette (10.0 points).

For more Knicks coverage, visit our team page or our blog Posting and Toasting.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Despite two losses in two days on the West Coast, Knicks fans do have a little something to cheer about here at home – if they’ve got a sweet tooth.

Magnolia Bakery is celebrating the return of the NBA with New York Knicks-themed cupcakes.

The sweets first became available at select locations on Christmas Day to coincide with the Knicks’ 106-104 victory over the Celtics.

Photos: Knicks Defeat Celtics In Christmas Day Thriller

“This is the first year that we’ve introduced Knicks cupcakes,” a representative from the bakery told CBSNewYork. “So far, the fans really seem to enjoy them.”

Related: The 5 Best Bars To Watch A Knicks Game

The cupcakes ($3.25 each) will only be available in the bakery for home games.

But if you’re looking to cater your gamewatch with something other than beer and pretzels, fans can pre-order the treats throughout the season at any time.

The store is also offering Bulls and Lakers cupcakes at our respective Chicago and L.A. locations.